Atole Blog's

The phenomenal success of the "Twilight" films in which he plays a lovestruck vampire has helped him be named as highest earning British star of 2010.

Pattinson earned £18.3m last year to put him at 15th place on the annual Vanity Fair top performers list.

He beat more established stars such as Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston and Nicholas Cage to make the list for the first time.

According to a breakdown of his earnings by the magazine for its Oscar's edition the bulk of the 24 year old's money came from the latest Twilight film "Breaking Dawn" which has been filmed in two parts.

The actor, who began his film career in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" six years ago, was paid £8.3m for each of the films.

He also picked up a £1m payday for his next film "Water for Elephants" where he stars alongside Reese Witherspoon and £600,000 for starring in an forthcoming costume drama "Bel Ami".

Pattinson, who has millions of female fans from playing Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga, replaces another young British actor on the annual list compiled by Vanity Fair.

Last year Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe was named as the sixth highest earner with £27m thanks to the final two films in the hugely successful franchise.

Pattinson's co-stars in Twilight all feature in the top performers list with Kristen Stewart, 20, earning £19m and Taylor Lautner ninth on the list with £22.5.